Ramadan

Ramadan 2019
The first day of Ramadan is expected to be Monday, May 6, 2019 (subject to moon-sighting). Accordingly, the first Taraweeh will take place on Sunday, May 5, 2019 Insha’Allah. Please join us at the Masjid during Ramadan for prayers, iftars and services. We wish and pray that Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala grant us all a productive and accepted Ramadan.

Ramadan Fundraising
In order to keep our facilities running smoothly, this year’s Ramadan fundraising goal is $200,000. This money will be used for the upkeep and maintenance of the Mosque. Apart from the above, we also must fundraise and be ready for the following major infrastructure initiatives:

Fence – We plan to have gates and a fence around our property.

Security – In order to enhance security, in addition to the fence we also plan to enhance our capacity of video surveillance

AC units – four of our AC units on the roof are outdated and may need to be replaced soon. We have already replaced four units.

Building Expansion – Our expansion plan is in the hands of the city of Pickering. Once approved, we would be able to take steps for organized construction.

We look forward for your generous donations in person by visiting our office or online. You may also consider joining our ‘Dollar A Day’ campaign.

Our purposeful activities

Apart from the regular upkeep of the Masjid, our academic and religious schools, we also serve the community thorugh our various services and programs to enhance community engagement on a regular basis. For example:

Seniors Program to promote health and well-being of our elders.

Family nights

Student nights

Hospital visits

Halal Meals on Wheels – a food program that we carryout for needy

Salatul Maghrib
Prayer will be held 10 minutes after Adhan.

Daily Iftar
We provide Iftar every day during Ramadan. You are encouraged to join hands and sponsor the iftar for the community. Please contact us by email at info@masjid.ca, over the phone at (905-426-7887 Ext 2) or donate online at https://www.masjid.ca

Salatul Taraweeh
20 Rakaat of Taraweeh prayer is held following Isha Salat, led by the following:

Mufti Abdulmannan Mulla

Qari Ismail Kazi

A short reminder will also be given each night before taraweeh.

Khatmul Qur'an
Khatmul Qur’an will be on the 27th night of Ramadan, Saturday June 01, 2019 insha’Allah.

I’tikaaf
We have limited capacity for I’tikaaf. Spaces are assigned on a first come first serve basis. Brothers over the age of 18 are encouraged to register well in advance or by the 10th of Ramadan at the latest to help us facilitate the necessary arrangements.

Qiyamul Layl
We will observe special night prayers (Qiyamul-Layl) during the last 10 nights of Ramadan starting approximately at 1:15 am.

Parking
For the duration of the month of Ramadan, additional free parking has been arranged at The Church located at 2145 Brock Road N, Affy’s Plaza and the park across the street.

Zakah
Zakah (Almsgiving) is the third pillar of Islam. The Arabic word Zakah means to purify (i.e. wealth). The Zakah is to be disbursed to the poor and needy once a year on savings in excess of the nisab threshold at the rate of two and a half percent (%2.5 or 1/40). This rate applies to cash, bank savings, all forms of gold and silver, investments and business inventory and stock. (There are other rates for certain types of agriculture and livestock.)

The payment is due at the end of the year once all expenses have been paid. Through the payment of Zakah, the rich share their wealth with the poor and thus the concentration of wealth is checked, and a fair distribution of wealth is ensured. It should be noted that Zakah is an act of worship independent of Ramadan and Muslims should make haste in distributing Zakah to the poor as soon as it becomes due and not defer it to Ramadan. However, there is no harm in deferring the payment of a small portion if one wishes to acquire the blessings of Ramadan.

If you have questions regarding Zakah or would like to learn more, please contact our Imam.

Sadaqatul Fitr

Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “The Prophet (saw) made the payment of Sadaqat-ul-Fitr compulsory; to purify the fasting person from sinful speech and indecent acts, and to provide food for the needy.” (Abu Dawud)

Sadaqatul Fitr is to be paid to the poor at the end of Ramadan before the Eid prayer so as to enable them to partake in the joys of Eid. Sadaqatul Fitr is compulsory on every adult male or female that possesses savings beyond the nisab threshold on Eid. It is to be paid for every member of the family including children and infants.
This year, the minimum amount for Sadaqatul Fitr is five dollars. Those wishing to give more are encouraged to do so.
As a service to the community, your Centre also collects and distributes Zakah. Please visit the our website www.masjid.ca or our office for details.

Waste Free Ramadan

Disposable Water Bottles create a mess to our environment. During this Ramadan let us have a movement to support the idea of using Eco-Friendly Reusable Water Bottles. It is available for purchase in stores everywhere. You know that all good deeds are rewarded abundantly during Ramadan.

What is Ramadan:
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the month of fasting for Muslims. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam; the others are confession of faith, five daily prayers, Zakah (almsgiving) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah). Ramadan begins with the sighting of the new moon, which is determined by the regional hilal (crescent) committee.
Why Muslims Fast
Fasting helps one grow closer to the One God, Allah. According to the Qur’an “Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you, so that you may learn self-restraint”. Fasting, which is recognized for its health, spiritual and psychological benefits, is considered by Muslims to improve their moral character and provides an opportunity for a spiritual renewal

Purpose of Fasting
The real purpose of fasting is not to make us hungry and thirsty, or to deprive us some of our comfort and conveniences but to be conscious of Allah. It is to do one's best to live by His commands and to avoid His prohibitions, fear of Allah, worship of Allah, sincerity in faith, and avoid the disobedience to Allah. Fasting is an invisible act. Only Allah and the person who is fasting know whether he or she is fasting or not. Fasting teaches how to control and discipline our desires. During fasting we learn how to say "no" to things that are otherwise permissible and good but are forbidden during fasting. When one learns how to say "no" to that which is generally permissible, then one can easily control oneself to avoid that which is forbidden. Through fasting we taste—to some extent—the pain and suffering of those who are poor and destitute. Fasting teaches empathy and sympathy, and it takes away some of our selfishness and self-centeredness

How Muslims Fast
Muslims fast from early dawn to sunset every day throughout the month (approximately 17 hours a day). The fast requires Muslims to abstain from food, drink, marital relations and ill-conduct during the fast.

Who Fasts
Fasting in Ramadan is compulsory on all physically and mentally healthy and mature Muslims. Those exempted from fasting are the sick, old, pregnant and menstruating women and travelers. Pregnant and menstruating women and travelers make up the missed days by fasting at a later time.

Typical day during the Month
The day of fasting begins with an early morning meal before dawn and ends at sunset. The evening activities include a simple traditional meal of a few dates and water (iftar), the sunset prayer followed by dinner. Muslims would then go to the mosque for congregational prayers in which at least one-thirtieth of the Qur’an is recited. The congregation would have listened to the recitation of the entire Qur’an by the end of the month.

End of Ramadan
Ramadan will conclude on June 2 or 3, 2019 depending on the sighting of the moon. The celebration marking the end of Ramadan is called Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the two major celebrations in Islam.